Eafael martinez



(NoModel.)

- R. MARTINEZ.

MAT. Y i

'Patented Sagt. 4, 1883.

n. Pnzns. mumqnpw. wamngm. u c

. j. "so

,UNITED i STATES PATENT A OFFICE.

RAEAEL MARTINEZ, OE NEw YORK, N. Y., AssieNoR TOEMIL cUfrMANN AND HENRYGOODMAN, OE sAME rLAcE.

j M AT.

SPECIFICATION forming part `of Letters Patent No. 284,457, datedSeptember 4, 1883. Application mea May 11, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

B e it known that I, RAFAEL MARTINEZ, of New York city, in the countyandState of New York, have invented Acertain new and 5 useful Improvementsin Mats, of which the following is a specication.V

In the accompanying drawings, which formV a `part of this specification,Figure lis a plan view of a portion of my improved mat. Fig. 2 is anenlarged view of two adjacent slats, with their connecting devices, aportion being in horizontal section and a part in vertical section. Fig.3 is a similar view of a modifi# cation `in which a pin-andsocketconnection is used instead of aball and socket; and Figs. 4 and 5 aresimilar views of other modifications, the connecting features only beingvaried.

i My linvention relates to slatted mats or jioorcoverings; and thenovelty consists in the conlstruction, arrangement, and adaptation ofparts, as will be more fully hereinafter set i forth, and specificallypointed out in the claims.

In what I consider the best means of carryf ing out the invention Iemploy a series of round or cylindrical pieces of wood, composition, orother material. These pieces are of uniform size and length, and aresecured together side by side with alternate ferrules or thimblescarrying balls, which engage in sockets formed by other duplex thimblesarranged alternately. The securing or connecting means form loose jointsbetween adjacent slats, and

are preferably arranged in the middle and at each end of the slats. Thethimbles which are employed in the center row are hollow cylin- `ders intheir respective places, and they are readily applied or removed. The'ferrules and caps embrace the slats and protect their ends. It isimportant also that they allow the convenient use of wood of two kindsin each slat-as, for instance, the one surface of the mat-that intendedto face the floor when in use-fmay be made of cheap and common wood, aspine, in form semicireular in cross-section, while the other face may beformed of similar Vstrips of black walnut, or alternate black walnut andoak, or other more valuable material, which maybe readily renewed ,whenworn.

In Fig. 3 I represent a modification show i ing both adjacent lcaps andferrules in a single piece, the arm of one having a pivot-pin and theother a socket to receive the same. In Fig. 4 the pivot extends throughthe arms of the adjacent ferrule or cap, and in Fig. 5 a 55 ball,through 'which one end and half the slat has been forced, while thoseemployed at the ends are cup-shaped to correspond with the oval ends ofthe slats, being secured in place by screws, which are inserted throughthe caps and longitudinally into the slats. The joints thus made betweenadjacent slats allow the mat to`be readily rolled or folded, the metalcaps protect the ends of the slats, and the mountings afford a veryornamental and finished appearance tothe whole.

For convenience I will hereinafter designate the central row ofconnecting devices as ferrules,7 and the others as caps.77

Referring to the drawings, in which similar lettersv of referenceindicate like parts in all the figures, A designates the slats, turnedAor otherwise formed, of uniform length and diameter, arranged parallelwith each other and a short distance apart. Each alternate slat isprovided with a central ferrule, B, which embraces the slat at or nearits center, and is provided with `projectingarms b, carrying balls orpivots b', and at each end this series of slats is also provided withthimbles or capsV C, having perforations c, to` receive a screw, c', andhaving arms and pivots 02.03, similar to those parts b b on the ferruleB. The balls or pivots b c3 are received and `loosely operate in socketsformed by the concave faces al of the arms d of the duplex ferrule D andthe corresponding parts, e e', of the duplex caps E.

' These parts are formed so as to fit neatly.

What I claim as new is 1. In a slatted mat or oor'fcovering, and incombination with a series of parallel and equidistant slats, a series offerrules adapted to embrace alternate slats, and havingoppositely-projecting arms carrying balls or pivots, and a series offerrules adapted to embrace 95 the intermediate slats, and having armswith sockets to receive such balls or pivots, as and for the purposesherein specified.

2. In a slatted mat, and in combination with a series of parallel andequidistant slats, a

and having projecting arms `carrying balls or roo 4series of ferrulesembracing alternate slats j pivots, and a series-of duplex ferrulesadapted to embrace the intermediate slats, and having arms carryingtwo-part sockets to receive said pivots, as and for the purposes setforth.

5 v 3. In a slatted mat having iiexible joints, the combination, withthe slats A and. ferrules B, having arms b, carrying pivots b, ofthetwopart ferrules D, having arms d and sockets d, as and for the purposesset forth.`

Io 4. In a slatted mat having flexible joints, and. in combination withthe slats A, the caps C, having perforations c and arms and pivots lc2c3, the securing-screw c', and the two-part caps E, having sockets e, asand for the purposes lset forth. 15

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at New York city, N.Y., this 15th day of May, 1883, in the presence of two subscribingwitnesses.

RAFAEL MARTINEZ.

Witnesses: y

JOSEPH A. FILER, B. E. D. STAFFORD.

